PARIS – Claycourt machine Rafa Nadal celebrated his 35th birthday by handing his longtime pal Richard Gasquet a 6-0 7-5 6-2 masterclass as he stormed into the third round of the French Open on Thursday.
Thirteen-time Roland Garros champion Nadal showed no mercy as he demolished the Frenchman for the 17th time in as many professional encounters.
Gasquet beat Nadal in the semi-finals of the Under-14 Tournoi des Petits As in 1999, but since then has always emerged second best in their encounters.
The Spaniard has never been troubled by the Frenchman’s single-handed backhand and produced a ruthless display as he took a step closer in his pursuit of …
Keep on reading: Ruthless Nadal demolishes Gasquet to reach French Open third round